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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MAY 08, 2026 | The Indian Eye 36

The Fourth Wave: South Asian Real Estate

Leaders Ride the Green Revolution in Chicago

OUR BUREAU
Chicago, IL
n a vibrant Friday evening
in April 2026, the Waterford
OBanquet & Conference Cen-
ter in Elmhurst, Illinois, buzzed with
energy as the Association of South
Asian Real Estate Professionals
(ASARP) hosted one of its signature
events. Marking a decade of building
bridges and creating pathways for the
next generation, ASARP joined forc-
es with Hawthorne World Group for
an unforgettable night of networking,
inspiration, and forward-thinking di-
alogue on design, sustainability, and
the future of real estate.
Cocktails flowed during the savings on multimillion-dollar ac-
opening networking hour, setting a quisitions. He also detailed 1031 ex-
warm, collegial tone. Guests—sea- changes for deferring gains, enhanced
soned real estate professionals, in- basis step-up benefits for estate plan-
vestors, brokers, and community ning, and generational wealth cre-
leaders—gathered to explore how ation. Shukla closed with a caution-
sustainability is no longer a buzzword ary tale about AI-generated fraud,
or moral checkbox, but a core driver reminding the audience to stay vigi-
of value, tenant demand, and long- lant in an increasingly digital world.
term profitability in commercial and The evening’s centerpiece was
residential development. the keynote by Dr. Ganesan Visv-
Anjali Mohanty, a dedicated abharathy—affectionately known
Chicago-area real estate professional as Dr. Vish—Founder, CEO, and
with American Star Realty, skillfully Chairman of Hawthorne World Cor-
hosted the evening. She set an inclu- poration. A pioneer with over 40
sive tone, emphasizing collaboration, years in sustainable development,
knowledge-sharing, and opportuni- Dr. Vish has built a reputation for
ties that extend beyond traditional a financial imperative. Energy-ef- properties, investment assets, and net-zero green construction that inte-
transactions. Shirin Marvi, Vice Chair ficient, ESG-compliant buildings SBA programs. Punjani highlighted grates profitability with environmen-
of ASARP and owner of Shirin Mar- attract better financing, stronger competitive rates, minimal bank fees, tal stewardship. His companies span
vi Real Estate, delivered powerful tenants, lower operating costs, and and quick approvals for manufactur- construction, finance, development,
opening remarks. With her rich glob- higher valuations. Post-2020 tenants ing equipment—practical tools for materials, energy, life sciences (ge-
al background and over two decades prioritize health-focused environ- professionals looking to grow portfo- nomic testing), and communications
of experience, she painted ASARP ments—superior air quality, natural lios or consolidate debt. (low-cost rural internet).
as more than an association—it is a light, and efficient utilities. Verma Pradeep B. Shukla, CPA, CCIM, Dr. Vish shared his personal jour-
movement. “When our professionals stressed the risks of inaction: higher and managing broker of American ney, from an early three-flat building
grow, our communities thrive,” she future capital expenditures, reduced Star Realty, brought deep financial flip in Logan Square—where switch-
declared, calling on board and advi- buyer pools, and lost institutional in- expertise. In his segment “Building ing from electric to gas heat boosted
sory members to stand and receive terest. For brokers and advisors, the Bridges – A Decade of Vision & Per- profits—to landmark projects like
well-deserved applause. The organi- opportunity lies in guiding owners severance,” he celebrated ASARP’s one of Chicago’s largest office-to-res-
zation’s vision is bold: to become the through value-add repositioning and milestone while sharing timely up- idential conversions in the South
most trusted resource and leader- sustainable upgrades. “The real ques- dates, including the Private Listing Loop. He invoked the Passive House
ship hub for South Asian real estate tion is not whether we should invest Network’s expanded national reach Institute’s definition of true sustain-
professionals across North America. in sustainability,” he noted, “but what through Compass. Shukla dove into ability: buildings designed to last 100
Nick Verma, founder and man- is the cost if we don’t.” powerful tax strategies enabled by years. Yet he emphasized practical,
aging broker of Midwest Realty & Anil Punjwani, Business Re- recent legislation, notably the One scalable approaches: net-zero energy
Brokerage and a key ASARP leader, lationship Manager at U.S. Bank Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). He (producing all power on-site), net-ze-
delivered a practical, insightful pre- and event co-sponsor, followed with illustrated how cost segregation com- ro carbon, geothermal systems, solar,
sentation on “Design, Sustainability, grounded advice on financing. As one bined with 100% bonus depreciation permeable pavements, rain gardens,
and Well-being in Commercial Real of the largest lenders in the Chicago- can unlock massive first-year deduc- bioswales, native plants, recycled ma-
Estate.” He made it clear: sustain- land market, U.S. Bank supports real tions on fixtures and equipment— terials, and superior indoor air quality.
ability has evolved from a trend into estate, equipment, owner-occupied potentially generating six-figure tax -- Asian Media USA

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